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EAT, DRINK, LEARN
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LIVING LOCAL AND GIVING LOCAL
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HOT CHIKN KITCHN
prince william living February 2021
The premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas
KINDNESS: Let’s Make It More Contagious Than COVID PAGE 4
ARTfactory: Keeping Life Colorful During the Pandemic PAGE 10
Winter Fitness Tips for the Family PAGE 18
princewilliamliving.com
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table of contents February 2021 | Vol. 11 | No. 2
FEATURE STORY Kindness: Let’s Make It More Contagious Than COVID
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DEPARTMENTS FROM THE PUBLISHER Be the Light
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ON A HIGH NOTE ARTfactory: Keeping Life Colorful During the Pandemic
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LIFELONG LEARNING Eat, Drink, Learn
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GIVING BACK Living Local And Giving Local
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FAMILY FUN Adding Pizazz to Winter Birthdays at Home
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DESTINATIONS African-American Historical Sites
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LOCAL FLAVOR Hot Chikn Kitchn: Unity Through Food CALENDAR
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COLUMNS YOUR FINANCES HEALTH & WELLNESS HOME & HEARTH
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prince william living Rebecca Barnes
PRINCE WILLIAM LIVING PUBLISHER rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com
Erin Pittman EDITOR IN CHIEF epittman@princewilliamliving.com
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Amanda Baity ONLINE SUBMISSION MANAGER Carole Keily GIVE BACK PRINCE WILLIAM INITIATIVE Melissa Payne, melissa@givebackpw.org Johnnie Barnes, johnnie@givebackpw.org CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST Diane Puigdomenech, dpuigdomenech@princewilliamliving.com VISIBILITY PACKAGES sales@princewilliamliving.com
PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Baity CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Emily Carter, Amy Falkofske, Jennifer Halter, Gianna Jirak, Rena Malai, Domnique McIndoe, Erin Pittman, Bennett Whitlock SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Katherine Gotthardt GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Alison Dixon/ImagePrep Studio
SUBSCRIPTIONS info@princewilliamliving.com Prince William Living, the premier lifestyle magazine of Prince William and Greater Manassas, is published monthly by Prince William Living, Inc. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince William Living. Š Copyright 2021 by Prince William Living, Inc. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced or translated without written permission. Visit the Prince William Living website at www.princewilliamliving.com for reprint permission.
Prince William Living 9994 Sowder Village Square #816 Manassas, Va 20109 Phone: (703) 232-1758
Editorial Have a story you’d like our staff to cover? Contact Prince William Living editorial staff at (703) 232-1758, ext. 2, or at editor@princewilliamliving.com.
Editorial offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 2 Advertising offices: (703) 232-1758, ext. 3 Efax: (703) 563-9185
Advertising Prince William Living accepts display advertising. For complete advertising information, contact our sales staff at (703) 232-1758, ext. 3, or at sales@princewilliamliving.com.
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Subscription rate is $20 (Continental U.S.) for one year. Change of address notices should be sent to Prince William Living at info@princewilliamliving.com. Reprints and Back Issues: To order article reprints or request reprint permission, please visit the website: www.princewilliamliving.com. Order back issues by emailing Prince William Living at info@princewilliamliving.com. For further information about Prince William Living, visit www.princewilliamliving.com, or contact Prince William Living at (703) 232-1758.
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February 2021 prince william living
from the Publisher Be the Light
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love the beginning months of a fresh new year. OK. So, we definitely carried over some muck from 2020, but let’s focus on the positive instead. A new year means new opportunities. These opportunities may look a bit different amidst COVID, but we can still choose to learn and grow. Ever been interested in becoming a better cook or baker? How about upping your wine knowledge? Check out some chances to do just that in this month’s Lifelong Learning section. Or maybe art or theater are more your thing. Our On a High Note section shares opportunities to learn and express yourself through classes at the ARTfactory. Perhaps this is the year you expand on your passion for history. This month, Black History Month, is a great time to explore the history around us. Read up on local African-American historical sites in our Destinations section, and plan some tours. Maybe 2021 will be the time that you and the family make a commitment to being more active together. Find some ideas to inspire you in our Family Fun section. Or read our feature on
kindness and commit to finding ways to spread more goodness together during these tough times. When we can’t find the light, we can be the light. The Prince William County Community Foundation is spreading light every day by combatting childhood hunger, promoting health and wellness, and investing in education. Read all about their efforts in our Giving Back section. And in Health and Wellness we share a local bariatric surgery success story. Is moving in your future? Home and Hearth provides some insight on whether moving yourself or hiring professionals is the best fit for you. And if the pandemic or other circumstances have your grown children returning to the nest, check out Your Finances for tips on navigating this new situation. Last but not least, Hot Chickn Kitchn, though fairly new, is already providing well-loved food and a sense of community in our area. Local Flavor brings you the whole story. Wishing you all the best and continued health and safety.
Rebecca Barnes Publisher
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KINDNESS: Let’s Make It More
Contagious Than COVID By Erin Pittman, Editor in Chief
I
n my writing career, I’ve been taught to put a positive slant on things whenever you can, and I’m usually successful, as I tend to look on the bright side of most things anyway. But 2020, and its remnants that have spilled over into 2021, continue to challenge me. It’s pretty tough to put a positive slant on a pandemic. Sure, there have been some lovely silver linings — more time at home with family, appreciation for what we have, even greater gratitude for our medical professionals and first responders, and so on. But none of it balances out the suffering and loss we have faced in the past year and continue to see. The only thing I find that begins to bring some balance to today’s world is kindness. No, kindness can’t eradicate COVID-
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19 and it can’t recreate jobs lost, but it can soothe emotions and bring about moments of happiness in a tough time.
The Effects of Kindness There have been numerous studies about the positive effects of kindness on those performing the acts. Participants in several studies reported greater happiness when spending money on others than on themselves, for example. According to a publication out of Dartmouth University, “Witnessing acts of kindness produces oxytocin, occasionally referred to as the ‘love hormone’ which aids in lowering blood pressure and improving our overall heart-health. Oxytocin also increases our self-esteem
and optimism, which is extra helpful when we’re anxious or shy in a social situation.” Performing acts of kindness stimulates serotonin, decreases stress and reduces pain. In her book Raising Happiness; In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents, Author Christine Carter reports, “People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church.”
Spread Kindness Kindness and love are the foundations upon which we build relationships and strong communities. And kindness is definitely contagious — let’s make it more contagious than COVID. Amidst month 12 of this pandemic, join Prince William Living in shifting our focus to kindness and improve the health and happiness of ourselves and those around us. Here are some infectious ideas to get you started.
Kindness in Our Community The pandemic has left few people untouched in major ways. Most people you know could likely use a boost. Try these ideas to spread kindness and generosity in our community. Purge your home, and donate. We all have a closet or two — or a two-car garage — that’s too packed with belongings we no longer need. Clear out clothes, shoes, accessories and more, and donate them to a charity or shelter in need. Help with food rescue delivery. Visit pwfoodrescue.org to learn about food rescue efforts in Prince William. Download the app and sign up to help out.
Donate to food pantries. Maybe you don’t have time to transport food. Pick up some extra items during your next grocery trip and deliver them to a food pantry. Or make an online donation to ensure our neighbors don’t go hungry during these tough times. Adopt or foster a shelter pet. Adopting from shelters or rescue groups saves lives. Search online for a pet that’s a good match for your family and save a life today. (This option, complete with pup kisses or cat snuggles, is also sure to raise your happiness levels day after day.) And if you are unable to commit to the lifetime of a pet right now, consider fostering! Pay it forward. Little acts of kindness can turn someone’s day around. Pay the tab for the person behind you in the drivethrough line or cover a toll for the next car. Give an enormous tip on a small bill. Leave treats outside for delivery drivers. Perform a random act of kindness and create a domino effect. Give grace to others. Perhaps your pickup order isn’t the hottest or tastiest you’ve had. Maybe the grocery cashier forgot to put one of your items in your bags, or your child’s teacher took three days to respond to your email. Give grace. Remember we are all coping with more than we ever thought we would, and those worries and stresses take up mental space — space we used to be able to use to bring our A games. Help a local musician. Winter months in a pandemic don’t provide many opportunities for local musicians to earn income. Follow local artists on Facebook and tip during online concerts. Visit their websites and purchase merchandise. Every little bit helps. Be considerate of our neighbors. Don’t be the toilet paper hoarder — or if you do find yourself with too many supplies, find someone who needs them to share them with. If stores are low on supply of certain items, only buy what you need. Call elderly neighbors before you head to the store and see if you can pick up something for them, or ask if they need a lift to appointments or to get their vaccine. Being aware of others’ needs goes a long way toward building community.
Kindness for Friends and Family The days of 2020 were often filled with stress, and 2021 isn’t starting out any differently. While the faces we see when we get home are some of our favorites, we often have little patience and kindness left in our tanks to share with them. Be intentional about spreading kindness at home and with friends. It may take (continues on page 6) prince william living February 2021
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(continued from page 5) a little mustering to find the energy for that 12th tea party of the week with your toddler, but you know after a few sips of that imaginary tea, you’ll be glad you powered through. COVID times have also taught us how important social interaction is for (most) humans. Don’t let friends and family feel alone. Send those texts, plan those socially distanced driveway happy hours and make every effort to stay in touch with those you love. Here are some ideas for spreading kindness to friends and family. Call your mom. And your dad. Check in with parents and grandparents regularly. Even if you feel like you don’t have much to report on your life of staying home, reach out. This could be a time to learn about their childhoods or share favorite books. Get creative with ways to connect. Send the texts. Many of us are guilty of responding to texts in our minds and forgetting to actually respond. Be intentional about replying to those who reach out to you. And reach out to those you haven’t heard from in a while. Send the latest social media meme for a laugh, or communicate only with GIFs. Sharing silliness and laughter is definitely kind. Give people something to look forward to. Many of us have realized over the past year how important it is to have things on the calendar to look forward to. In a time when everything seems to be canceled, plan something for friends and family to be excited about. It can be a simple socially distanced scavenger hunt in the neighborhood or a backyard movie night with blankets and heaters. Just create a future event to count down to where you can safely connect with others. Send little surprises. We’ve also realized that it doesn’t take much for us to get excited this year, right? Send little surprises to friends. Did you buy a great new herbal tea? Mail a few bags to your friend who’s always cold. Read a great book? Tuck a note inside about why you loved it and drop it on a friend’s porch. Is your best friend just completely frazzled? Send a digital food delivery card so she can simply order dinner for her family and cross cooking off her mile-long to-do list. Little acts of kindness have big impacts.
Kindness for Yourself Sometimes the hardest person to be kind to is ourselves. It’s important right now not to apply pre-COVID rules and expectations to COVID times. Our brains are full of worries. We have to remember to take a mask everywhere. We have to check COVID policies for most anywhere we go. Our homes have become our offices and schools, and we’re juggling video conferences with clients while second grade PE is going on behind us. We ALL have a lot going on. Here are some options for pampering ourselves — or simply cutting ourselves some slack.
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Organize and beautify your space. Use some of your downtime to clear the clutter and add a touch of something that makes you smile. Redo your workspace and add a candle or fresh flowers. Clear out your clothes and treat yourself to a new top for your next virtual meeting. Organized spaces create calm within you. Adopt a calming practice. If you’ve ever considered meditation or yoga, now would be a great time to give one a try. Both practices lower stress and blood pressure, create time just for you and help calm the endless mental chatter we carry around. Get outside. Fresh air and sunshine boost both your immune system and your mood. Find time to get outdoors regularly. Bundle up and take a short walk. Shoot some hoops with your children. Play a round of golf or disc golf — whatever makes you happy. Physical and mental self-care are essential. Actively forgive yourself. If you had big goals last year and you couldn’t achieve them because you’ve become the teacher and the lunch lady and now work from home, forgive yourself. If you’ve been snippier with your family because you’re just so tired of being told you can’t do things, forgive yourself. Make a list of everything that has you feeling bad, and LET IT GO. You’re busy surviving a pandemic. Almost everything is understandable these days. Get help when you need it. Social isolation is real. Losing a job evokes fear and many emotions. Worrying over your children’s education this past year is heavy. Realize that you’re carrying around a lot and sometimes you need someone to help you with the lift. Find a friend or a counselor who can listen. Getting the support you need is the best way to show kindness to yourself. So there you have it. Now run with these infectious ideas and make kindness more contagious than COVID. Our community is still an incredibly wonderful place to be. Erin Pittman is a mom, wife, writer, editor, avid reader and lover of anything furry. You can reach her at epittman@princewilliamlliving. com.
Get HELP with your Medicare costs. You may qualify for assistance in paying your Part D premium or Part B premium with Virginia’s Extra Help Program and Medicare Savings Program. To find out how we may be able to help, call the Prince William Area Agency on Aging at 703-792-4156.
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your finances Setting Financial Ground Rules If Your Adult Child Moves Back Home By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor
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s COVID-19 spread across the country, parents saw a wave of adult children moving back home. Pew Research recently found that 52% of 18- to 29-year-olds now live in a parent’s house. Some young adults may have moved back simply due to safety during the virus response or because universities switched to e-learning. Others may have returned because of financial reasons. As parents, it’s important to help your children find their footing, but you don’t want to put your own financial security at risk. You can achieve this by setting boundaries and providing clear expectations for how you expect your child to contribute as they live under your roof. Discuss Whether They Will Pay Rent Will you expect them to pay rent while they live with you? It’s important to have this discussion before they move in. You want to ensure that everyone has the same expectations for the arrangement. Your child might assume they can live in your house, rent free, for as long as they want.
months’ paychecks first? Will they move as soon as they have a job? Are they saving for a down payment on a house? By agreeing to a plan, you’re protecting yourself in case they have thoughts of a longer-term stay. Plus, it will help you enjoy this time you have with your child at home. Bennett C. Whitlock III, CRPC®, is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director with Whitlock Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He offers fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 22 years. To contact him call 703.492.7732 or visit his website at whitlockwealth.com. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.
Have a conversation about what they can afford to pay and what you require from a financial standpoint, so each of you remains on the same page. Find Other Ways They Can Contribute It’s possible that your child needs to move back because they’ve lost their job. If they’re under financial hardship, then it’s understandable if you don’t want to charge them rent. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to let them sit on the couch all day watching TV, using your kitchen as their own free grocery store. Instead, set ground rules for their stay. Are they looking for a job? Do you want free rent contingent on them following through with job searches? Do you want them to pitch in for food costs? Will you allow them to borrow cash? If they’re not paying rent, give them tasks that will help save you money. Ask them to mow the lawn or paint parts of the house in between the job search. It will give them something to do beyond just worrying about their next interview. Set a Timeframe While you may love having your child back at home — and they may enjoy it as well — set expectations on how long the stay will last. Talk with your child about when they hope to move out. If it’s until they can afford a place to live by themselves, then also ask them what they need in order to feel comfortable enough to live on their own. Do they need a few
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on a high note
ARTfactory
Keeping Life Colorful During the Pandemic By Emily Carter
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ocated on Battle Street in Manassas, in the old Hopkins Candy Factory, ARTfactory is making some sweet creations — but not of the candy variety.
Art History Originally known as the Center for the Arts of Greater Manassas/Prince William County, ARTfactory was founded in 1984 by artists and lovers of art who wanted a place to congregate and express themselves. They started with a few visual art classes, added dance classes and theatre classes and now have an art gallery on the first floor of their building. “I think the biggest thing is that at the ARTfactory, we are open and welcoming to anyone and everyone. And that vibe is what we try to put out in the community,” said ARTfactory Executive Director Beverly Hess. “Our mission is to provide a safe haven for creative expression and discovery. When you come to the ARTfactory, and people come from wherever they are in their life at that point in time, it's a place to come in and explore whatever it is you want to try next.” In March 2020, ARTfactory rebranded themselves. They changed their name and redesigned their website by adding bright colors that pay homage to the candy factory. The official rebranding date was Friday, March 13.
Art Classes ARTfactory has classes for everyone, no matter their interest. Classes and workshops are offered for everyone age 5 and up.
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Visual art classes teach students graphic design, drawing and sculpture making. People of all ages can act in ARTfactory’s three theatre companies. Students from 8 to 18 can perform in the Pied Piper Theatre. Rooftop Productions features the work from adults in the community, and Past Time Prime Time Players teaches classes to and features performances from senior members. To get the blood flowing, ARTfactory offers ballroom dance classes and line dance. In the summer, ARTfactory has summer camps for children and teenagers that educate them in theatre and visual arts. At the end of the camp, family and friends can attend a performance put on by the camp members or a reception featuring the art created in the visual art camp. At the Harris Pavilion, free concerts are offered all summer long featuring musical artists from around the state. In the past, they’ve had jazz, bluegrass and Argentinian Latin Tango groups perform. If you still need to quench your global thirst, visit ARTfactory’s Caton Merchant Family Gallery that has featured art from around the world, as well as from local artists. ARTfactory has also developed an educational outreach program to help students in school, Arts on the Go™. To improve students’ SOL scores, Arts on the Go™ uses STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) modules to help students retain information they are learning in their classes. Each module stays at a school for two weeks before rotating to another school. In order to give their students the best art education they can get, ARTfactory hires professionals from all branches of the art
world. This way students are learning techniques and skills from people who have dedicated their careers to their craft. “(Our instructors) are professionals. They come to us from a variety of places, but they each bring a variety of specialties that they offer. When you take a class, you're getting someone who's really knowledgeable in the art form that they're teaching.” Hess said. “Likewise for our theater programs. Our directors, our choreographers, our music directors are all professionals. When a young person auditions to be in a Pied Piper Theatre show, they're auditioning to work with professionals. We try to hire the greatest talent we can out there so that the theater participants really get an enriched experience.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ARTfactory has had to undergo some changes, but they haven’t completely shut down. Nothing is getting in the way of art. Visual art classes are still being offered in person, but they’re also being offered online. Their online classes have become very popular, and ARTfactory plans to continue offering them after the pandemic is over. Dance classes are still happening, but everyone who attends must stay in their “boxes,” which ARTfactory has created 10 feet apart from other dancers. Even though ARTfactory doesn’t plan on having any performances anytime soon, they are still offering theatre classes. In order to keep students safe, everyone entering ARTfactory for classes must wash their hands and wear a mask.
Art Matters ARTfactory has no intention of closing and preventing students
ARTfactory hires professionals from all branches of the art world. This way students are learning techniques and skills from people who have dedicated their careers to their craft.
from having a creative outlet. Hess thinks art has many benefits and creating should never stop. “Art is your way of discovering who you are and expressing what you want to express. The process is as important as the product and many times more important than the product,” Hess said. “It is that experience of learning something new, working the right and the left side of the brain simultaneously. Many people come to us who need an outlet for expression. And they want to hone their skills, but the process is what's so important to them.” Hess was in a meeting and heard someone describe ARTfactory as a place “where people find their people.” No matter people’s age or background, they all come to the ARTfactory to learn and relax. And they end up finding people who love appreciating and making art as much as they do. For more information, visit virginiaartfactory.org. Emily Carter is a senior at Virginia Tech majoring in Multimedia Journalism. She is currently the Lifestyles Editor at Virginia Tech’s student-run paper, the Collegiate Times. When she is not writing, she is either dancing alone to Taylor Swift or cooking herself a giant bowl of pasta. prince william living February 2021
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lifelong learning Eat, Drink, Learn
Professional Culinary Training and Foodie Classes in Prince William County By Rena Malai
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f all the things that can happen in a day, one inevitable daily occurrence is breakfast. Or, a much needed glass of wine. Perhaps an even much more needed cookie. Whichever sustenance is the favorite contender, learning how to go from ingredients to plate, bottle to glass and cookie to crumbs like a pro can be found right here in Prince William.
Eat It Because green produce contains chlorophyl, acid and salt can enhance the flavor. This is one of the many gastronomic principles taught by Chef Culinary Instructor Hugh Cossard at Stratford University. The Stratford campus in Woodbridge offers degree programs in Culinary Arts with concentrations in pastry and hospitality. Each culinary program is based on the Escoffier method, named for French chef George Auguste Escoffier. Stratford students learn the techniques of expert food preparation under this method, which is present in all accredited cooking institutions across the world. “The Escoffier method is based on a French technique that provides the fundamentals to prepare any type of cuisine,” Cossard said. “It is the common language among all formally trained chefs.” The culinary programs at Stratford are not recreational. Instead, they are for those who are looking to become professional chefs and pursue careers in the gastronomy and hospitality fields. Classes are taught by trained professionals like Cossard, who grew up in the food trade and is a third-generation French Charcutier. “Recreational teaching and formal teaching are totally different. If someone wanted to take one of our Stratford culinary classes just for fun, it may not be very interesting,” Cossard said. “What we teach professionally in Stratford, students stick to a program, and reach competencies. That is very important.” Stratford University has a structure of five terms per year. Students can register at any time and begin their culinary program of choice at the start of the next subsequent term. Stratford offers a variety of associates and bachelor’s degrees in Culinary Arts, including degrees in Hospitality Management for those who may want a career in the food business without having to do any actual cooking. “Culinary is a trade, a crossroad between technique and science,” Cossard says. “The classes at Stratford are driven by technique and
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The Stratford campus in Woodbridge offers degree programs in Culinary Arts with concentrations in pastry and hospitality.
students gain an understanding about all areas of the food trade. They can be anything — a baker, butcher, cheese monger, fish monger, pastry chef, if they want!” Visit stratford.edu for more information and to connect with an admissions counselor. Under COVID restrictions, all students and instructors are required to wear a mask while on campus as well as sanitize their hands regularly.
Drink It Denise Ormsby, owner of The Spot on Mill Street in Occoquan, says she and her co-owner (and husband) Dennis, aren’t wine snobs. They just like to drink. The wines they sell at The Spot reflect their love of community, as they carry brands unique to the region that wine aficionados can’t find anywhere else. “Be ready to explore different things here,” Ormsby said. The Spot’s wine tastings offered on Saturdays and the first and third Wednesday of the month give fellow drinkers the opportunity to do just that. Whether someone is new to the world of wine or an expert, Ormsby says people will have the chance to discover something new and maybe learn a thing or two at their wine tastings.
The Spot on Mill Street carries brands unique to the region that wine aficionados can’t find anywhere else.
Serap Andreasen and Elif Deherrera are the founders and owners of Le Cake Boutique in Woodbridge.
“We offer six wines to taste (at our wine tastings), all completely different from each other, reds, whites, blush, sparkly,” Ormsby said. “People can tell us what they like — maybe they like Merlots — and we can customize their tasting experience based on that.”
Due to COVID restrictions, classes are currently offered by request. Please call 571-659-2086, visit lecakeboutique.com for more information, or check out their store in person at 15101 Potomac Town Place, Suite 105 in Woodbridge.
Wine tastings include six wines to taste, as well as accompanying food pairings and snacks. Tastings require booking in advance and are conducted under COVID social distancing and mask requirements. Virtual wine tastings are offered on request.
Rena Malai is a journalist and freelance writer. Over the course of her career, she has covered a variety of topics from technology and policy to food and lifestyle. She lives in Prince William and is a native Washingtonian. Reach her at rmalai@princewilliamliving.com.
The Spot also offers Wine Wednesdays, where customers receive a discount on purchased bottles of wine and a Wine of the Month club, where members can select their type of membership and receive bottles of new wine to try every month. Visit the shop in person at 406 Mill Street in Occoquan, explore their website at thespotonmillstreet.com or call 703-499-8809 to book a tasting or for more information.
Cookie It Macarons — a traditional French cookie made with meringue and almonds — probably don’t conjure up thoughts of Germany and the military for most people. But all three of these things are a common thread that Serap Andreasen and Elif Deherrera, founders and owners of Le Cake Boutique in Woodbridge, share. “Our husbands were in the military, and Serap and I met in Germany,” Deherrera said. “Serap bakes awesome stuff, and we used to have friends come over to eat and talk. One thing led to another and we decided to have a storefront.” Le Cake Boutique offers macaron-making classes, as well as classes in cake decorating from beginner to advanced. Prices vary based upon the class you choose, but the fees include all supplies, cakes and ingredients. “You don’t need to be a professional baker by any means,” Deherrera said. “Just come as you are, and we do the rest.” prince william living February 2021
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giving back
Living Local And Giving Local
Prince William County Community Foundation, Inc. works to sustain healthy and vital Prince William County communities. By Dominique McIndoe
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ccording to Be Healthy Be Happy Prince William, the web-based resource for community health data, 5.6% of residents in Prince William County (PWC) experience food insecurity — they have limited availability of nutritionally adequate foods or an uncertain ability to acquire these foods. In PWC, between 14,000 and 26,000 children alone experience food insecurity daily, especially when food assistance programs are not in place. Efforts of nonprofit organizations like the Virginia-based Prince William County Community Foundation are motivated by these unfortunate statistics to improve the quality of life of everyone in the community. Since its founding in December 2018, PWCCF strives to be at the forefront of strengthening the county’s communities. Through a number of initiatives that focus on food insecurity, healthcare and education for example, as well as the close examination of research trends in the county and the state, the foundation ensures that social, environmental and economic health is their utmost priority. Dr. Vanessa M. Gattis, president, CEO and founder of PWCCF had a bright vision for the nonprofit since its inception. Over 30 years of service in the U.S. Army and a desire to serve her community outside of corporate America inspired her to establish the grassroots organization. In a little over two years, PWCCF has made a profound impact in Prince William.
Combating Childhood Hunger As its name indicates, the Combating Hunger on Wheels initiative began in 2019 to help eradicate childhood and family hunger in Prince William County. C.H.O.W. is PWCCF’s principal initiative in which members of the community are given greater access to nutritious and high-quality food. The C.H.O.W. Wagon brings food to the doorsteps of those who lack the resources or transportation. As of the end of 2020, PWCCF has distributed over 42,000 meals to children and
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The C.H.O.W. Wagon brings food to the doorsteps of those who lack the resources or transportation.
families in Prince William, according to Dr. Gattis. The unfortunate news, however, is that hunger continues to be a complex issue. “One of our biggest challenges that we deal with is not having enough resources to meet the needs of our community, especially food resources,” Dr. Gattis says. “Our C.H.O.W. Wagons can hold only so much food. When we run out and we still have residents coming to see us after the food is all gone, it breaks our heart to turn people away. We have expanded the number of sites and frequency of distribution, but sometimes it is still not enough.”
The arrival of COVID-19 also presented a unique challenge in March 2020, but in the face of the pandemic, C.H.O.W. operations ramped up. They began distributing meals to students from Prince William County School locations who would not be returning to school during the spring 2020 semester. Several people and organizations in other states have asked the foundation to expand their C.H.O.W. initiative into their own communities.
Promoting Health and Wellness In Prince William County, there are three public healthcare issues that require attention: mental-health conditions, including substance use and abuse; obesity, physical activity and access to healthy foods; and access to health and dental care. PWCCF’s healthcare initiative addresses these needs in the community and works to collectively improve residents’ health and wellness. The foundation works together with community entities to better understand community health problems, share information with healthcare establishments and develop strategic solutions to these health issues. PWCCF’s 2019 Health & Wellness EXPO connected Prince William residents to local businesses so they could learn about the health, wellness and financial resources available in the county.
Investing in Education “The foundation believes in investing in the students in Prince William County,” Dr. Gattis says. In the age of astronomical college fees, PWCCF makes sure not to forget the financial needs of kids and their families through their scholarship initiative. The foundation specifically helps PWC high school seniors offset their college expenses. Since the start of the initiative in 2019, PWCCF has awarded five scholarships to Prince William high school seniors. Though plans are still in the initial phases, PWCCF hopes to prepare high school seniors even further by incorporating a mentorship element in early 2021.
The Concerted Effort
walks of life dedicate their time to help PWCCF accomplish their mission. School teachers, school board members, Board of County Supervisors, government workers, students, military members, corporate workers and retired residents have all lent a helping hand. Nonprofits, organizations and churches like the StreetLight Community Outreach Ministries, the Virginia Community Food Connections, Prince William Food Rescue, Neabsco Baptist Church and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority alumnae chapter — among others — all contribute to community collaboration and collective giving. “We do not believe in being on an island by ourselves,” says Dr. Gattis. “We live by our motto — Together, WE can make a difference.” Laura Hatcher, owner of Laura Hatcher Photography in Alexandria, VA and fellow Navy veteran, shares a similar sentiment. “This past June, I photographed her business branding images,” Hatcher says of her volunteer work with the foundation. She also photographed their Feed the Troops drive in August 2020. “Her volunteers rally to support the community regardless of the weather.” Laura’s three sons are consistent summer volunteers and recognize the value in being active in the community. “My heart is overjoyed when our community wants to volunteer,” Dr. Gattis says. “They believe in the work we are doing and that gives us a sense of joy… Our greatest accomplishment as an organization is to be able to assist our community as much as we can.” To volunteer at the Prince William County Community Foundation, go to pwccfoundation.org, fill out the application and email it to info@pwccfoundation.org. To donate or learn more about the foundation, visit pwccfoundation.org. Dominique McIndoe (mcindoe@princewilliamliving.com) is an assistant production editor at a publishing company and a longtime writer.
The lifeblood of the foundation includes volunteers, donors, sponsors and partners. Residents in the community from all prince william living February 2021
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health & wellness Bariatric Services and Weight Loss – More Than Surgery Contributed by Novant Health UVA Health Systems
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eight can be a sensitive subject. But for the estimated 40% of American adults the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says are classified as obese, that sensitivity is often magnified by societal pressures to be thin. But there’s no safe “quick fix.” Losing significant weight takes time, patience and sometimes the help of a medical professional specializing in bariatrics, the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity. Novant Health UVA Health System offers comprehensive bariatric services for surgical and nonsurgical weight loss assistance. These services can be lifechanging — and lifesaving — for patients, including Steve Daniels of Manassas, who underwent gastric bypass surgery in March 2020.
Steve Daniels, 50, of Manassas recently lost 120 pounds with gastric bypass surgery. Left: 2019 / Right: August 2020
Steve’s Journey
Life Post-Op
Daniels visited his doctor more frequently. He was uncomfortable and in pain. He had both high blood pressure and high cholesterol and was in the early stages of prediabetes.
“It was tough. I had to relearn how to eat and drink, paying close attention to my speed and timing. I joined support groups, recipe clubs and a fitness app community,” said Daniels. “I felt my best when I walked after eating, so I made walking a huge part of my daily routine. When I was feeling low, I reached out to my best friends for encouragement. All of these still help me every day.”
Daniels, a 50-year-old water quality and field technician at Fairfax Water and father of two, had an active, healthy childhood, but began gaining weight in his adult life.
“My doctor was worried about me — and so was I,” said Daniels. “My father died at age 57 from heart disease and diabetes complications. I realized if I didn’t make a change, I’d have the same fate. I couldn’t do that to my girls.” At the suggestion of his primary care doctor, Daniels met with Nicholas Dugan, MD, a fellowship-trained laparoscopic surgeon who specializes in bariatric, reflux and hiatal hernia surgery at Novant Health UVA Health System. With Dugan’s guidance, Daniels began his surgical weight loss journey.
Surgical Weight Loss
“When combined with healthy lifestyle changes, surgical weight loss has been proven to be more effective than diet and exercise alone for keeping off excess weight long-term,” explained Dugan. “When patients come to us seeking surgery, we navigate them through every step of the process from evaluation to the surgery itself and follow-ups.” Daniels had gastric bypass surgery, which creates a small pouch out of the stomach and bypasses a portion of the small intestine. This causes the patient to feel full quicker because of reduced stomach capacity.
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Recovery from surgical procedures can be mentally and physically challenging. For Daniels, the most difficult part was adjusting to his new relationship with food.
Daniels also emphasized the importance of trusting and following his medical team’s plan throughout the process and his appreciation for their guidance. Today, nearly nine months after his surgery, he’s down 120 pounds. “I have a brand-new life,” he said. “I’m no longer at risk for diabetes or heart disease; my blood pressure and cholesterol are in a good range. I have achieved my weight loss goals and I am now working to improve my health lifestyle by setting weekly activity goals — I recently walked 33 miles in one day, a feat I never thought I’d achieve!”
Learn More
For those who have questions about bariatric services or are considering surgery, Novant Health UVA Health System hosts free seminars where providers explain the procedures, answer questions, and address patient concerns and anxieties. For more information visit NovantHealthUVA.org/services/ weight-loss-services or call 703-369-8620.
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family fun
Winter Fitness Tips for the Family By Jennifer Halter
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inding time for staying active can be difficult with busy schedules and with wanting to stay cozy and warm when temperatures are cold outside. However, the benefits of daily movement are so important to overall physical and mental health for us as adults and for our children. Here are a few ways to incorporate more fitness activities into your family’s routine and have fun while doing them.
Go Sledding
Although the slide down a hill doesn’t take much physical effort, the trudging through the snow and up the hill is a great way to increase your heart rate and strengthen leg muscles. Doing this multiple times in a snow play session is a fun way to have the kids work out without them realizing that they are. Plus, the giggles and smiles as they slide downhill are an awesome bonus!
Build a Snow Fort or Have a Snowball Fight
Want to get the family moving for a few hours? Work together to build snow forts and have an epic snowball fight. Both activities are great total-body workouts as you work to lift and push snow to build your fort. During the snowball fight, you can run, squat, lunge and leap to dodge incoming balls from your opponent.
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Walk or Run Outdoors
Getting fresh air and sunshine is especially important during this time of year when most of us are staying indoors. Bundle up and take a stroll around your neighborhood or plan an afternoon walk at one of our local parks. You can add a little more fun by turning your outdoor adventure into a nature scavenger hunt. Look for things such as leaves, rocks, insects or animals. Another idea is to do a “Stop and …” challenge, where periodically you stop and do an exercise. For example, you can say, “Stop and do 10 jumping jacks.” Give each family member a turn at being the leader who assigns the activity.
Indoor and Outdoor Chores
Household chores are the perfect way to incorporate movement into your day without taking much extra time (since they have to get done anyway!). Outdoor chores can include shoveling driveways, walkways and steps following snow, or picking up litter. If you don’t have a set list of indoor chores for each family member, you can create a chore jar. You will need a jar or container and slips of paper or craft sticks. Write one chore on each slip of paper or stick and put it into the jar. Each person will then select a chore from the jar to complete. If you have younger children, you can make a separate jar and include age-appropriate chore options.
Daily Fitness Challenge
This activity is structured similarly to the chore jar. Instead of listing chores on each slip of paper or craft stick, you will write the name of an exercise move. Include burpees, pushups, sit ups, planks, jumping jacks and running in place, to name a few. You can write the number of each move each person will complete or you can roll dice and use whatever number comes up as the number of reps to perform.
Move Your Body Break
It’s easy to get sucked into watching your favorite shows on TV or spending hours watching movies when the weather makes it difficult to get outdoors. Include movement into this activity by committing to doing an exercise during each commercial break. You can use the suggestions mentioned above or create your own moves based on characters or themes of the show you are watching. If you want to move your body during a movie, choose a word, action or item in advance and every time you hear or see during the movie, you do an exercise. For example, if your word is “birthday,” any time a character in the movie says that word, you complete the movement. You can also do this for actions, such as
when someone jumps in the movie, you jump. Or, if someone is dancing, you dance.
Animal Dance Party
This is a great activity for younger family members, although grown-ups will have fun with this too! Choose an animal (or several) and have a dance party while pretending to be that animal. Hop like a kangaroo, swing your imaginary trunk back and forth like an elephant or slither on the ground like a snake. You’ll get a total-body workout and share lots of laughs with your silly animal moves! With any activity you choose, be sure to remember safety first, especially when doing outdoor activities with cold temperatures. And, most importantly, enjoy your time as a family and making fitness fun!
Jennifer Halter is publisher of Macaroni Kid Woodbridge and Macaroni Kid Gainesville/Manassas.
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destinations
African-American Historical Sites
Visit the Places, Learn the History, Celebrate the Culture By Gianna Jirak
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very February, we celebrate African-American History Month and the icons who accompany it. We watch movies praising the freedom riders, listen to the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., attend festivals and parades, and visit museums to learn more about the history of AfricanAmericans in the United States. This year, due to pandemic restrictions, attending festivals, museums or parades is less possible. But with the right safety precautions, you can visit local African-American historical sites and gain a deeper understanding of African-American history in Northern Virginia.
Schools to create a regional high school for African-American students. Now, remnants of the school stand in a 5-acre archaeological park at 9601 Wellington Road in Manassas, along with a memorial to Dean that was unveiled in October. Visitors can admire the memorial to Dean, which includes a statue of her with an outstretched hand, as if to lift others up. The site includes the exhibit kiosks with audio programs and interpretive panels. Due to COVID-19, site closures are possible. Find upto-date information at va-manassas2.civicplus.com.
Here are some great historical sites to visit and celebrate AfricanAmerican History Month this February.
Lucasville School
Manassas Industrial School & Jennie Dean Memorial The Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth was chartered on Oct. 3, 1893, after years of fundraising by Jennie Dean, a former slave. The school’s first building, Howard Hall, opened a year later, with Frederick Douglass conducting the dedication ceremonies for it. The school acted as a private residential institution for African-American students, and at its peak held over 150 students. According to the City of Manassas, students at the school were educated in mathematics, natural sciences, geography, physiology, music, literature and English, as well as many vocational skills. The girls were taught to sew, cook and perform a variety of other domestic duties, while the boys were taught things like carpentry, cobbling and shoe-making. In 1937, the school and its surrounding land and buildings were acquired by Fairfax, Fauquier and Prince William Public
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The Lucasville School, a school dedicated to the education of African-American children located in Manassas, was constructed in 1885 by H.W. Lloyd. It was Prince William County’s only extant one-room school built for African-American children. Although it closed down permanently in 1926, a reconstructed version of it, which contains a few pieces from the original school, still stands today in Manassas to allow us to have a deeper understanding of post-Civil War African-American history. At the school, first- through sixth-grade students were taught mathematics, geography, penmanship, reading and history, as well as African-American history in February during Abraham Lincoln’s birthday week. Today, visitors can also celebrate African-American history at the school, located at 10516 Godwin Drive in Manassas, through special weekend programming events. The programming includes displays, crafts and a depiction of a typical day at the school. No more than five people will be allowed in the school at one time and masks are required. Due to COVID-19, site closures are possible. Find the latest information and guidelines at pwcgov.org.
20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for “Everyday Full of Work: The African-American Experience at Ben Lomond.” Visitors will learn more about the lives and work of enslaved people on the plantation through tours of the main house and visits to the interactive virtual-reality exhibit in the slave quarters. During the event, visitors are also able to visit other locations on the plantation not ordinarily open to the general public. Masks are required during the indoor portions of the event and are recommended for the outdoor portions. Visit pwcgov.org for more information.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre
Ben Lomond Historic Site slave quarters.
Ben Lomond Historic Site The Ben Lomond Plantation, now known as the Ben Lomond Historic Site, was the home to countless enslaved AfricanAmericans for nearly 100 years. The original slave quarters still stand on the site, as do the dairy, smokehouse and “antebellum kitchen,” where enslaved people worked. During the Civil War, the plantation was transformed into a Confederate field hospital and was later ransacked by federal soldiers who left behind destruction and graffiti. The graffiti is still preserved, and the location is a part of the Northern Virginia Civil War Graffiti Trail. Those interested in visiting the site and its slave quarters, located at 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas, should visit on Feb.
The Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre is the site of multiple executions of African-American people, both enslaved and free, spanning many years. It is said that spirits of some of those executed still haunt the historic center, including Agnes, who was reportedly executed while pregnant. To learn more about the lives of African-Americans, the historic center, located at 12229 Bristow Road in Bristow, is hosting African-American History at Brentsville Courthouse on Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will discuss the African-American experience in the 19th century from the perspective of the Brentsville Courthouse through tours. The event will also share information on African-American enslavement, hardships, community treatment and achievements. Tours are limited to seven people per tour and masks are required. Visit pwcgov.org for pandemicrelated cancellations. Gianna Jirak is an intern at Prince William Living with aspirations of being an international and political reporter. She currently attends C.D. Hylton Senior High School and is the Editor in Chief of her school newspaper. OmniRide Express is a stress-free and convenient bus service from eastern Prince William County, the Manassas area, Gainesville, Haymarket, and Stafford to points in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. OmniRide Local is a personalized bus service designed with your travel needs in mind! It’s your link to Dale City, Dumfries, Woodbridge/Lake Ridge, Manassas and Manassas Park.
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local flavor
Hot Chikn Kitchn Unity Through Food By Amy Falkofske
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here’s a new name in town in the restaurant business, and it’s already making a splash. Hot Chikn Kitchn, a quickserve Nashville hot chicken style restaurant, opened on Nov. 15, 2020, in Woodbridge and has been enthusiastically welcomed by the community.
The Hot Chikn Kitchn Story HCK occupies the space that used to be a Sweeto Burrito franchise. Franchise owner and HCK founder, Mike Sarago, closed the Sweeto Burrito on March 30, 2020, when the pandemic hit and put plans into motion for a Nashville hot style restaurant. That plan included far more than just opening a restaurant. “The plan was to identify a minority ownership group, someone who was in the restaurant business, or wanted to be in the restaurant business on the chef side, and get them in business at a low cost with the idea of turning the store over to them at some point, so it would be a 100% minority ownership group,” said Sarago. He then reached out to county supervisor Victor Angry. Angry put him in touch with Eric Williams who Sarago has known for years and worked with before on other ventures. Williams is a real estate broker by day and has a strong financial background. “I reached out to Eric and told him of the idea. He jumped right on it, and he put together an ownership group,” said Sarago. That ownership group ended up including Williams himself, Chef Freddy Gilmore, Darrell Williams (Williams’ brother) and Lee Small.
A Passion for Small Business Sarago has been self-employed for 27 years and has been in the restaurant business for the last eight. He has a passion for helping small businesses succeed. That has been part of the driving force behind HCK.
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“I’m a big proponent of small business. My concern is we’re going to end up with Amazon, Target and Walmart, and on the food side, we’ll have three restaurant choices. I see the pandemic disproportionately smashing small business,” said Sarago. Sarago and his son, Anthony Sarago, have a holding company that they will license out of. Sarago will use his company to help small business restaurant owners. “We are a restaurant, but we want to be more than that to the community and whoever we can reach. That may be in the form of helping another small business whose concept might be old or tired. They may be in a franchise situation and that franchise is taking a huge amount of their income. We can lessen that impact for them and give them a path forward,” he said.
Unity Through Food Another one of Sarago’s passions is giving opportunities to minorities in the community. Out of that passion was born the restaurant’s motto, Unity Through Food. You can see the slogan on a sign right as you walk in. Patrons love to take selfies in front of the sign.
Photos courtesy Hot Chikn Kitchen
Four Levels of Heat One thing that distinguishes HCK from other restaurants in the area is their premium, pepper-infused sauces with escalating heat levels. Sarago and Williams visited several traditional Nashville hot chicken style restaurants. They found that the chicken had a lot of heat from the traditional pepper rub but lacked flavor, so they set out to make a flavorful sauce. Sarago developed a flavorful sauce and infused peppers for varying levels of heat. First is the Base Sauce made with chili pepper. The second level is called Afterburner made with habanero pepper. The third level is called Angry Hot, named after Supervisor Angry and made with scorpion pepper, and finally, there is the Medic, the hottest sauce, made with Carolina Reaper pepper.
Not Just Spicy If spicy is not your thing, have no fear. You can get anything on the HCK menu plain. HCK's owners and partners from left to right: Lee Small, Darrell Williams, Mike Sarago, Anthony Sarago, Eric Williams, Freddy Gillmore
Williams echoes Sarago’s passion.“We truly believe that when we open our doors every day that we’re going to be serving our community and promoting unity through food,” he said. HCK’s food is Halal certified, making it the only place that the large Muslim population in the community can go locally to get fried chicken. Unity through food is also born out of Sarago and William’s desire to bring the community together through socialization. “We are a restaurant, but I think we’re more of a social gathering, a spot for folks where we can bring different ideas, different races together, and it’s a wonderful thing. The concept and the unity resonate through the community. We’ve been humbled by the support and overwhelmed by the attention we’ve received so far,” said Sarago.
Chicken on the Menu The chicken tenders at HCK are the most popular item on the menu. The tenders are huge! They can be dipped in one of their premium sauces or ordered plain. Two tenders add up to about 6 ounces of chicken. The chicken sandwich is popular too. It comes with the “GOOD” sauce, pickles and slaw. If you are a fan of chicken and waffles, of course you can get that at HCK, too. They offer a delicious fried Country Chikn Salad as well. Additionally, they offer a variety of side items like crispy crinkle cut fries, slaw, mac and cheese, and fried pickles. For your sweet tooth, they have donut drops with a side of sweet glaze for dipping. Everything at HCK is prepared in house, hot and fresh. “The chicken is made to order,” said Sarago.
“We don’t want to be pigeon-holed into only hot (spicy) options because it starts with a succulent, hand breaded piece of chicken that anyone can enjoy with or without sauce. We want this to be a gathering place for all,” said Sarago.
Truly Unique in Prince William Williams said that HCK is really just a variation on Nashville hot chicken which, according to Sarago, is big on the west coast and is slowly migrating east. “Because we’re not hot just for the sake of being hot and we have a flavorful, infused pepper sauce, we hope to move toward the Prince William style hot that gives a little more local flavor because it’s a spinoff of Nashville hot, but what we’ve done is truly unique and original”, Williams said.
Adapting to the Pandemic HCK offers third-party delivery and soon to come, curbside pickup. There are QR codes on the inside and outside of the restaurant that you can scan, then place your order online, pay and pick it up at the restaurant. To place an order for pickup or delivery, go to hotchiknkitchn.com. They are also working on contactless delivery in anticipation of another shutdown due to the pandemic. HCK has catering, as well. HCK is located at 14313 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can call them at 571-398-2145.
Amy Falkfoske is a freelance writer and photographer. She has a Master’s degree in Film-TV with a concentration in screenwriting. She lives in Bristow with her husband, two boys and two Beagle dogs. prince william living February 2021
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home & hearth Should You Hire Professionals for Your Next Move? Provided by Vintage Moving
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o matter what day of the year it is, moving always creates a large list of things to do that stress us out. With all the options you have to consider, such as rental trucks, moving containers or full-service moves, moving yourself may be a less expensive option, but is it the right one? How do you know if you can do it all yourself, or should you bring in the pros to help? Review the following questions and see.
Will you be making arrangements for your spouse, children and pets? If your move is long-distance, consider if there is enough space in the truck for your family and your pets. You'll have to make provisions for them to follow in a separate car or to reserve flight seats if you are making a long-distance move, factoring in the costs of food and lodging.
Do you have time to do the job? Packing can take several days or several weeks, depending on how fast you can pack. Loading, unloading and driving can also be very time-consuming.
No matter what you chose as your moving solution, pack well, be realistic and plan meticulously. Understanding is half the battle!
How much do you need to move? Are you relocating your whole family or just yourself? Large homes are more challenging to move than small apartments. There may be heavy furniture and appliances that need to be packed and loaded. Are you physically capable of loading/unloading on both ends of the move? Assess your situation. Never take on a role too big or over-exert yourself under any circumstances. Cross-country driving is a bigger job than it sounds and is very tedious. Will you have family and friends who are willing to help? Always have people help you through the relocation process. Remember that safety is the primary concern. Anyone handling heavy furniture is susceptible to injuries, even professional movers. However, moving companies have liability insurance for their employees in case of injury. Obtaining extra coverage for your self-move would be more costly. Also keep in mind that the availability of your family and friends depends on the timing of your move. You may have to consider hiring labor on both ends of your move if no one is available. How much is your shipment worth? Extra coverage may be necessary for your items, because the coverage provided by the rental truck company will only protect your items if the damages are caused by vehicular malfunctions, not load shifting or driver-caused accidents. However, insurance companies charge a lot less when you use a professional moving company. Much more damage is expected to occur during a self-move. You're solely responsible for any damages to your items. Can you drive a big truck? Rental trucks handle differently than your average car. They are top-heavy, and the braking distances are longer. If you can’t drive a big truck or don’t feel comfortable doing so, it may be best to hire a professional moving company.
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calendar Prince William Living’s calendar is prepared several weeks before the magazine is printed. A lot can happen between the time the calendar is prepared and the date of the event. Weather permitting, ice-skating is available at many local rinks. Yoga studios and gyms are offering both live and virtual classes. Libraries, churches and businesses are offering online events along with some in-person events. The Prince William Chamber of Commerce (pwchamber.org) has been offering webinars. We encourage you to continue ordering takeout and delivery from local restaurants. Visit our online edition (princewilliamliving.com) for up-to-date information. And check with the venue to confirm any events.
Pub Crawl Tour
february
Fridays & Saturdays | 7 to 9 p.m. Occoquan Spirits – Haunted Pub Crawl & Ghost Tours 408 Mill St., Occoquan The tour kicks off in a haunted gallery, Local Colour, with stops at the Rockledge Mansion, The Spot on Mill Street, Madigan’s Restaurant and other local haunts along the way. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at several of the stops. This tour is geared toward guests 21+ years old. Reservations and masks are required, as part of the tour is indoors. 703-357-3850.
Ice Skating
Daily; Hours vary Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center 15201 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge Stonebridge’s first year with a real ice rink! Skate sessions are offered in 1.5hour increments. Reserve your time and pay online: stonebridgeptc.com/skating.
Job Hunting Success
Tues. Feb. 2 | 7:30 to 9 p.m. Presented by Prince William Public Libraries – Online Katherine Akbar, president of YES Career Coaching & Resume Writing Services, will cover building a cover letter and resume that excite your target employers, getting interviews from applications on job boards and interacting effectively with recruiters. Register at pwcgov.libnet. info/event/4618588.
Breakfast with an Expert
Thurs. Feb. 4 | 8 a.m. Online Bring your own coffee and join us for information from an expert who will give you actionable advice you can put to work immediately in your business. For more information, visit princewilliamliving.com/ breakfastwithanexpert.
Hike with a Naturalist
Thurs. Feb. 4 | 10 a.m. Bull Run Mountains Conservancy 16290 Thoroughfare Rd., Broad Run Join a professional naturalist and discover the flora and fauna on and around the Bull Run Mountains. These hikes will take place at Leopold's Preserve.
Lucasville School Open House
Sat. Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun. Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lucasville School 10516 Godwin Dr., Manassas Celebrate African American History Month at historic Lucasville School during open house weekends in February. Visit the reconstructed 19th century school used by the community of Lucasville. Learn surprising facts of African American history in Prince William County and throughout Northern Virginia. No more than five people will be allowed in the school at one time and masks are required. 703-3657895.
Books on Tap
Tues. Feb. 9 | 7 to 10 p.m. Provided by Sinistral Brewing Company and Prince William Public Libraries – Online This book club celebrates e-reading by selecting a title available from hoopla digital. This month’s book is The Taster by V.S. Alexander. The selected titles are available instantly with no holds, no waiting and your choice of eBook or eAudiobook. Download the Hoopla app, register for an account with your library card, and get started reading or listening today! Contact haxt@pwcgov.org for more information.
Winter Encampment
Sat. Feb. 13 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rippon Lodge Historic Site 15520 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge The Second Virginia Regiment was authorized by the Virginia Convention July 17, 1775, as a force of regular troops for the Commonwealth's defense. The Prince William District included Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. Come to Rippon Lodge to meet members of the Second Virginia and see their encampment, ongoing historical interpretation, cooking, drilling and more. Tours of the historic lodge are included. 703-499-9812.
Valentine’s Day Prom
Sun. Feb. 14 | All Day Provided by Prince William Public Libraries — Online Join Mr. Jon & Friends for a special virtual preschool prom that will inspire fun, laughter and lots of dancing! Register at pwcgov.libnet.info/event/4752101.
Have an event? Visit princewilliamliving.com/events to submit details to our online calendar.
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Making the Most of Prince William Living
Wed. Feb. 17 | noon Online Are you an advertiser with Prince William Living or interested in becoming one? Now available on demand, our publisher Rebecca Barnes will help you discover how to “Make the Most of Prince William Living.” Meet the people behind greater Prince William’s premier lifestyle magazine, as you learn about getting press releases published, photos, social media, visibility packages and tips on focusing your message. Visit princewilliamliving. com/lunchwiththepublisher for more information.
Everyday Full of Work
Sat. Feb. 20 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ben Lomond Historic Site and Rose Garden 10311 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas Explore the historic home and the original slave quarters to learn about the enslaved population living at Ben Lomond in the years before the Civil War. Visit spaces not ordinarily open to the public and experience the interactive virtual reality exhibit in the Ben Lomond Slave
Quarters. Learn about some of the chores that enslaved men, women and children were expected to complete, as well as the lives of the enslaved community. Masks are required when indoors and are recommended when outdoors. 703-367-7872.
Civil War era. Ms. Dean strove to teach valuable life skills and, in 1893, opened an industrial school for Black American children. A link will be emailed to those who register in advance. Call 703-3677872 for more information.
Intro to Character Animator
All events listed on Prince William Living’s online and print calendars are subject to change. Check with the venue to verify dates, times and locations.
Mon. Feb. 22 | 7 to 8:30 p.m. Provided by Prince William Public Libraries – Online Ever wanted to create your own animated character? Learn how to create, design and record an animated character using Adobe Character Animator during this virtual presentation and demonstration. Registration opens Feb. 8: pwcgov.libnet. info/event/4672086.
Virtual Lecture Series: The Story of Jennie Dean
Thurs. Feb. 25 | 7 to 8:30 p.m. Provided by Prince William County Historic Preservation Division - Online Historian Marion Ransell Cohen will share the incredible story of Jennie Dean. Jennie Dean was born into slavery in 1852 and recognized the importance of education and faith for Black Americans in the post-
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Dog Walking Pet Sitting Pet Taxi Overnights Fetch Supplies a safe and happy world where pets get their way
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February 2021 prince william living
Never miss an issue. Stay current on the people, places and events that make Prince William a wonderful place to live, work, and play. A subscription to Prince William Living keeps you up-to-date with everything our region has to offer.
For an annual $20 donation to Give Back Prince William (a 501c(3) non-profit organization), you can get YOUR community magazine delivered to your door! Already get it? Make sure you continue to get it by subscribing. Show your support and help us continue the work we do. Name ______________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________ City ________________________________________________ State _________________________
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Leapfrog agrees. We bring the best of health to you. Leapfrog recognizes Novant Health UVA Health System’s grade-A quality and safety
Our good news is also great news for our communities. All three of our medical centers in Culpeper, Haymarket and Manassas have earned coveted ‘A’ grades from The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2020 Hospital Safety Grade. We once again thank our caregivers for their exceptional dedication to patient safety and congratulate them for their achievement during such a difficult year for all. Rest assured that we’ll continue bringing the best of health to you in 2021.
Find your provider at NovantHealthUVA.org/Safety
Culpeper Medical Center | Haymarket Medical Center | Prince William Medical Center
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